Alright, let's break down the Honor 70 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro. I'm going to dive into the specs, but more importantly, I'll explain what these numbers mean for you, the user, in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, focusing on what matters for your daily experience:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 163 x 76 x 8 mm | Honor 70 is slightly more compact and may feel better in hand. Note 12 Pro is a bit bigger, but the difference is minimal. |
| Weight | 178g | 187g | Honor 70 is lighter, making it potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Both offer a large screen, great for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Crisp, detailed visuals on both screens. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; very similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both, great for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | Xiaomi Note 12 Pro has a big advantage here with better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 | Both are capable of running everyday tasks smoothly. Honor 70 may offer slightly better performance in demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 573,200 | Honor 70 has a bit higher benchmark score, which translates to slightly better gaming and app responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G68 MC4 | Different GPU architectures which may have minor implications for specific types of games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" | Honor 70's main camera has a higher resolution and bigger sensor which may result in better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" | 16MP, f/? | Honor 70 has much higher front-facing camera resolution which is great for video calls and selfies. |
| Wide Angle lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/1.9 | Honor 70 wide-angle lens offers a far more detailed shots. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Comparable macro lens capabilities with the Xiaomi having slightly larger pixel size. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p up to 120fps | Both offer 4K video; Note 12 Pro has better slow-motion at 720p @ 960fps and video stabilization. |
| DxoMark | Main Score: 115 | Main Score: 102 | Honor 70 scores 13 points higher, especially noticeable in video quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Note 12 Pro offers slightly larger battery, which can give you a bit extra time away from the charger. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Both are very fast for charging, with very little difference in charging speed. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 | Same operating system out of the box. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, APT-x | 5.2 | Both have Bluetooth 5.2, but Honor 70 offers APT-x support for better Bluetooth audio. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro supports more satellite systems which can result in better accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| Storage | 128, 256, 512 GB | 128, 256 GB | Honor 70 offers a higher storage option of 512 GB which is great for people who record a lot of video. |
| RAM | 6, 8, 12 GB | 6, 8, 12 GB | Both have plenty of RAM, which is great for running multiple apps seamlessly and gaming. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer good audio; Honor 70 offers Hi-Res audio and Note 12 Pro offers Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro has a more user-friendly fingerprint sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro has a better screen protection. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Superior Camera: The Honor 70 boasts a higher-resolution main sensor, a significantly higher-resolution wide-angle lens and a much higher resolution front facing camera. It shows superior overall image and video quality as indicated by DxoMark score.
- Slightly Better Performance: The Snapdragon chipset gives the Honor 70 an edge in processing power, which could matter for gaming.
- Lighter Build: The Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use.
- Storage Options: With a 512GB option, the Honor 70 caters to users needing more local storage.
- Bluetooth Audio: Supports APT-X for better audio quality using Bluetooth.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The 900-nit brightness gives the Xiaomi an edge in bright sunlight, making the screen much easier to view outdoors.
- Longer Battery Life: While the difference is small, a larger 5000mAh battery will offer better battery life than the Honor 70.
- Better GPS: The Note 12 Pro supports more satellite systems for improved GPS accuracy.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 adds a layer of durability.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted is often preferred by users.
- Video Stabilization: Better in-built video stabilization.
Trade-offs & Limitations
- Honor 70: Lacks a high brightness display and proper screen protection which can be critical for outdoor use and accidental drops.
- Redmi Note 12 Pro: Doesn't have as strong camera as the Honor 70, both in terms of hardware and overall picture quality, doesn't offer as much local storage, and it is slightly heavier.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70:
- Ideal For: Photography enthusiasts who prioritize image quality, those who want the best mobile video recordings, and users who need large local storage.
- Use Cases: Perfect for travel photographers, social media influencers, vloggers, and people who play more graphically demanding games.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro:
- Ideal For: Users who frequently use their phone outdoors, need reliable GPS and value screen protection.
- Use Cases: Great for commuters, hikers, those who value battery life, and people who do not rely on using high quality camera.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you choose:
How important is outdoor screen visibility?
- If you spend a lot of time outdoors, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro's brighter display is a big plus.
Do you value camera quality or video recording more?
- If camera quality and overall video recordings is essential to you, go with the Honor 70.
How important is extended battery life?
- If you need the best battery, then the Xiaomi Note 12 Pro is your device.
My Choice:
For me, I'd pick the Honor 70. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro does offer the brighter display, slightly better battery life, screen protection and better GPS, the camera and video performance are the most important aspects I am looking for in a phone, especially as I like to vlog from time to time, and the Honor 70 is just significantly better in that regard. That, alongside a better processor, lighter weight, and more storage options, makes it the ideal phone for my specific needs.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities. If you're frequently outdoors and care more about a brighter display, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro will serve you better. But if camera performance, better Bluetooth audio and a powerful processor are key, the Honor 70 is the way to go.
